How is Respect and Social Inclusion Conceptualised by Older Adults in an Aspiring Age-Friendly City? A Photovoice Study in the North-West of England

Abstract

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Age-Friendly Cities (AFC) Guide classifies key characteristics of an AFC according to eight domains. Whilst much age-friendly practice and research have focused on domains of the physical environment, those related to the social environment have received less attention. Using a Photovoice methodology within a Community-Based Participatory Research approach, our study draws on photographs, interviews and focus groups among 26 older Liverpool residents (60+ years) to explore how the city promotes respect and social inclusion (a core WHO AFC domain). Being involved in this photovoice study allowed older adults across four contrasting neighbourhoods to communicate their perspectives directly to Liverpool’s policymakers, service providers and third sector organisations. This paper provides novel insights into how: (i) respect and social inclusion are shaped by aspects of both physical and social environment, and (ii) the accessibility, affordability and sociability of physical spaces and wider social processes (e.g., neighbourhood fragmentation) contributed to or hindered participants’ health, wellbeing, intergenerational relationships and feelings of inclusion and connection. Our findings suggest that respect and social inclusion are relevant across all eight domains of the WHO AFC Guide. It is core to an AFC and should be reflected in both city-based policies and evaluations.

Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

“…Ronzi et al [38] focused on the social environment of the age-friendly city's model. Using a photovoice methodology within a community-based participatory research approach, their study drew on photographs, interviews, and focus groups among older residents (60+ years) living in Liverpool to explore how the city promotes respect and social inclusion.…”

“…For this Feature Paper Special Issue entitled "Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: State of the Art and Future Perspectives", a total of 29 papers were recently published on different topics related to this subject matter. Of the published papers, seven papers [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] related to age-friendly neighbourhoods, cities, communities and societies, three papers [29][30][31] explored innovative approaches to housing, two papers [32,33] concentrated on age-friendly transportation, four papers [34][35][36][37] focused on innovative practices in the domain of cure and/or care for older citizens, four papers [38][39][40][41] related to respect and social inclusion, and nine papers [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] dealt with the consideration of technology in an age-friendly city or community.…”

Determining the Features of Age Friendly for City Development

“…Respect and social inclusion, social participation and civic participation and employment are three topics that resonate with the social environment, culture, participation and mental wellbeing (World Health Organization, 2007b). Features that could instill respect towards the elderly in the form of mechanism or practical approaches include opening opportunities for older adults to participate in decision making bodies, campaigning to stop stereotype on ageism (Ronzi et al, 2020) and portraying positive image of the elderly in various components of cityscape, especially billboards (Morris, 2016). Past researchers identified the elderly face great challenges due to generation gaps, therefore intergenerational activities within neighborhoods need to be promoted (Bloomberg & Quinn, 2011;Morris, 2016) Social participation and social support are strongly connected to good health and well-being.…”

“…Participation in the society allows the elderly to continue to exercise their competency, enjoy respect and esteem, and maintain supportive and caring relationships. In a broader sense, literature suggests the elderly's participation is likely determined by the access, affordability and availability of opportunities (Plouffe & Kalache, 2010;Ronzi et al, 2020). Opportunities should be provided for elderly to contribute to their communities after retirement through unpaid and voluntary work (Bloomberg & Quinn, 2011).…”

Respect in the Eyes of Non-Urban Elders: Using Qualitative Interviews to Distinguish Community Elders’ Perspective of Respect in General and Healthcare Services

“…Later, Ronzi applied the same method to explore the feelings of the elderly toward an age-friendly city process. The authors found that seniors believe that respect and social tolerance are determined by both nature and social environment [ 6 ]. Although respect is an old issue, it is still worth further study.…”